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Scarecrows and moreSee more than 150 handcrafted scarecrows at the annual St. Charles Scarecrow Festival, at Main and 4th streets, St. Charles. Other highlights include a carnival, petting zoo, Canine Corner for dogs, food, the Autumn on the Fox arts and crafts show, live entertainment and more. Free admission. (800) 777-4373 or scarecrowfest.com. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11-12, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13

World of Beer's Upland launchWelcome Upland Brewery Co. to the Chicago area at a launch party Friday at World of Beer, 1727 Freedom Drive, Naperville. Upland Brewing Co., of Bloomington, Ind., introduces two of its most popular beers: Upland Wheat and Dragonfly IPA, as well as some reserve stock. Try three free one-ounce samples. Or go for the four-ounce pours for about $2.50 or a full beer for $5 to $6. No cover but Facebook RSVP encouraged. (630) 955-0399 or wobusa.com. 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11

Art full of soulScreen printing, sculpture, illustration, woodworking, photography, jewelry, digital art and other media are showcased in businesses and galleries throughout Andersonville during its 11th annual Andersonville Arts Weekend. Count on a fabulous night of parties throughout the neighborhood in dozens of stores. Browse shops, see dance and improv performances, listen to literary readings, watch film screenings, peruse arts demonstrations and join the pub crawl in the Andersonville business district, 5300 N. Clark St. Chicago. (773) 728-2995 or andersonville.org/andersonville-arts-weekend. 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12-13

'Chester Gould, Dick Tracy & Me'Meet Tracy O'Connell, the grandson of "Dick Tracy" comic strip creator Chester Gould, at the "Chester Gould, Dick Tracy & Me" program presented by the Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St., Geneva. O'Connell will share stories and photos pertaining to Gould and will give his own thoughts about Gould's drawing and writing techniques. $10; $5 for history center members and students. To register, call (630) 232-4951 or visit genevahistorycenter.org. 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11

Scares in St. CharlesFor the third year running, Steel Beam Theatre serves up seasonal scares beginning this weekend in Kane County when theater artists and volunteers play the ghouls inhabiting a 6,000-square-foot, 3-D haunted house at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St., Charles. $15. Participants must be 13 or older. kcscaregrounds.com. 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, October 11-12

Rising starsChicago band JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound has been thrilling audiences all over the country with its contemporary brand of soul music. Their last record, 2011's "Want More," earned them rave reviews and prominent spots in festivals like Lollapalooza. Now, the band is on the road in support of its third album, "Howl," released earlier this year to great acclaim on local label Bloodshot Records. Suburban music fans will have a chance to see one of JC Brooks' scorching live shows when the band performs at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. $25. Go to prairiecenter.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11

Classic rockersJohn Ford Coley, writer of numerous pop and soft-rock hits like "Love is the Answer," "Nights are Forever Without You" and "Soldier in the Rain," will perform songs from throughout his career at the Arcada Theater, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, in a show that will also include Terry Sylvester of the legendary British Invasion band the Hollies. Tickets start at $15. Go to oshows.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11

Swing, swing, swingHear some of the best exponents of modern day swing music when Big Bad Voodoo Daddy performs Saturday at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $47-$53. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12

Radio starsThe popular Public Radio series Radio Lab returns to Chicago with the show "Radio Lab: Apocalymtical" Saturday at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $28-$78. (312) 462-6300 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12

Free bird's the wordThe current incarnation of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd headlines a rock concert that also features John Kay & Steppenwolf on the bill Sunday at Festival Park next to the Grand Victoria Casino, 250 S. Grove Ave., Elgin. $45-$99; $25 lawn seats. (888) 508-1900 or grandvictoriacasino.com. 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13

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